Looks like there’s a bit of good news for Dota 2 fans as it appears that ESL One Los Angeles 2020 is actually going to happen. Before you get too excited, there’s going to be some big differences to what was originally planned.
First is that ESL One LA is now going to be all online with matches to be played beginning on March 28. Second is that things have been restructured, and the ESL One LA is not going to be one big tournament. Instead, it will be five regional online leagues. The third change is that the total prize pool for the entire tournament is $375,000. The fourth and final change is that it’s not going to be a Valve-sanctioned event, so no DPC points are on the line.
In a post, the ESL One team revealed that while the LA Major was cancelled, they still wanted to “continue to bring you, the fans, the best possible Dota 2 action in this difficult time and keep the competition going for the players - but it won’t be in event locations this year.” Thus, while the show must go on, it’s going to be online. The ESL One team went on to say that this is “the best, and more importantly, the safest decision for players, coaches, team staff, fans, and our event crews while still keeping the core of esports alive” and that they are more than happy that "our sport can go on even in the most difficult of times and hope to bring you some entertainment and joy during the quarantine.”
For the format, it’s rather straightforward. The Group Stage is going to be a round-robin best-of three, with the Playoffs also being a best-of three, except the Grand Finals, which is a best-of five.
Here’s an overview of the tournament:
- Europe & CIS
- Prize Pool: $200,000
- Matches Start: April 4
- Teams Participating:
- Team Secret
- OG
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- Team Liquid
- Team Nigma
- Alliance
- Natus Vincere
- Virtus.pro
- Gambit Esports
- Team Spirit
- HellRaisers
- B8
- Cyber Legacy
- Gentlemen
- TBD
- TBD
- North America
- Prize Pool: $40,000
- Matches Start: March 28
- Teams Participating:
- Evil Geniuses
- business associates
- CR4ZY
- TBD
- Southeast Asia
- Prize Pool: $40,000
- Matches Start: March 28
- Teams Participating:
- Fnatic
- Geek Fam
- Team Adroit
- BOOM Esports
- South America
- Prize Pool: $40,000
- Matches Start: March 28
- Teams Participating:
- beastcoast
- Thunder Predator
- FFURIA Esports
- NoPing e-sports
- China
- Prize Pool: $55,000
- Matches Start: March 28
- Teams Participating:
- Invictus Gaming
- Vici Gaming
- PSG.LGD
- Newbee
- Royal Never Give Up
- EHOME
So what do you think? Are you still excited about the ESL One LA tournament even if it’s not a Valve-sactioned event? Do you think the format is okay? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
